What is irony? [Military Read Me]

[mountainbiker]

The HUMMER brand came into existence why?

HUMMER has its roots with the military but irony is how HUMMER supports the individual military member stationed overseas. The following is a quote from a HUMMER Customer Relationship Specialist:

Thank You for contacting HUMMER and your interest in the 2006 HUMMER H3. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us. The exporting of the HUMMER and any of its products from the United States is prohibited and United States and Canadian dealerships will not sell them to a consumer with the intent to export. If a H3 is purchased from an unauthorized source or shipped out of the United States, the General Motors factory warranty will be null and void and all service work normally covered under that warranty will be the sole responsibility of the purchaser. We apologize for the inconvenience.

WAY TO GO HUMMER -- THANKS FOR SUPPORTING THE TROOPS.

[blindzebra]

i think you"re misreading the intent of the policy

[blindzebra]

and no we don't think. It's a fact of history.

[Steve - SanJose]

???

[Tex_h2]

:eek: Why don't you just buy a hummer from where ever you are. Isn't there a hummer dealership just about "everywhere" in the world. example: Austria to United Arab Emirate!

[mountainbiker]

i think you"re misreading the intent of the policy
Could you please enlighten us on what you think HUMMER's intent is?


Here are how some of the dealerships interrupt it:

Anderson HUMMER (MD):
it has to be titled in to a US address
Sewell HUMMER (TX):
It is a HUMMER policy to not let a vehicle leave the US unless it has been titled in the United States.
Sutliff HUMMER (PA):
According to our dealer agreement with HUMMER any new vehicle we sell must originally be titled and registered to a United States address.

[dеiтайожни]

I wouldn't let a few silly rules or laws stop me from owning a Hummer...would you?

[mountainbiker]

:eek: Why don't you just buy a hummer from where ever you are. Isn't there a hummer dealership just about "everywhere" in the world. example: Austria to United Arab Emirate!
1. I recently lost the engine in my vehiclel therefore, due to its age and the remainder of my tour, I am entitled a shipment of a replacement POV from my home of record during my upcoming September home leave. This means free shipping back to my duty station.

2. While HUMMER may have dealers in other countries, the cost difference is substantial. It is 80% higher at my location. Other locations are slightly less but then I have the logisitics of getting it to me. This shipping would not be covered under my orders.

Many service members purchase their new vehicles through our Army and Air Force Exchange New Car Sales (http://www.encs.com). However, they have dropped carrying any GM products due to their lack of support to the service members. ENCS now only sell Chrylser, Ford, and a few others.

[usetosellhummer]

Please tell me your not this dumb? I sold plenty that were shipped all over the world. have a family member or **** get on the phone and buy it from a dealer close to a port city. DON'T TELL THEM ITs GOING OUT OF THE COUNTRY. Title and pay the tax then catch a boat ride to where you are. Factory warentee won't do anygood where you are anyway. Damn, Oh and thank you for your service to our country! god Bless the USA.

[mountainbiker]

I wouldn't let a few silly rules or laws stop me from owning a Hummer...would you?

LOL- Fortunately or unfortunately, I must obey the laws of my fine country.

While you nice U.S. taxpayers have been so kind to pay me to travel the world and meet others of other nations--you don't pay me enough to cover the warranty costs of a vehicle from a company that does seem really keen on customer service. My dream for ever has been to tailgate those here in my host country, let them feel the warm of my bumper, and for the rest read the F*ck Terrorism decal on the back.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

[Hummer Guy]

Do you no longer have an address in the United States?

[DWPC]

The letter simply relates to the restrictions that almost all manufacturers have about unauthorized foreign sales. Imagine if you were the guy who paid or invested a bundle for the rights to sell Hummers in that country and learned that GM let US Hummer dealers export cars into your territory. There's also the US/non-US emissions & safety issues.

When I was in the military, we could order American vehicles through specific American dealers affiliated with the Exchange system. It may have been for US delivery only. I forget, it was a while back.:rolleyes: Have you checked?

[mountainbiker]

Please tell me your not this dumb? I sold plenty that were shipped all over the world. have a family member or **** get on the phone and buy it from a dealer close to a port city. DON'T TELL THEM ITs GOING OUT OF THE COUNTRY. Title and pay the tax then catch a boat ride to where you are. Factory warentee won't do anygood where you are anyway. Damn, Oh and thank you for your service to our country! god Bless the USA.

Thank you for your kind support. Two other unit members have the H3 and one of my buddies in Germany has the H2. All purchased them through our Army and Air Force Exchange System (AAFES). [AAFES is the service members Wal-Mart.] Because AAFES sold them last year when GM was a part of their product line, they have full warranty support.

Most larger installations have an AAFES service station and Auto Skills Center. They or other locally approved service facilities perform warranty work.

[CO Hummer]

This is strange because I was reading a similar post on the mountainbiking forum by a guy named h2driver.

[mountainbiker]

Do you no longer have an address in the United States?

My home is in Texas, my dad is in Florida, my mom is in Pennsylvania, my wife's parents are in Maryland, and the remainder of my family are in California and New York.

My current vehicles are Texas titled and registered. The Ford has been shipped all over the world and has been covered under its U.S. warranty. The other was purchased through AAFES in Italy and has a 7/70,000 warranty anywhere I am stationed.

P.S. Say hi to J.T.

[mountainbiker]

The letter simply relates to the restrictions that almost all manufacturers have about unauthorized foreign sales. Imagine if you were the guy who paid or invested a bundle for the rights to sell Hummers in that country and learned that GM let US Hummer dealers export cars into your territory. There's also the US/non-US emissions & safety issues.

When I was in the military, we could order American vehicles through specific American dealers affiliated with the Exchange system. It may have been for US delivery only. I forget, it was a while back.:rolleyes: Have you checked?

The Exchange is the store front. The men inside are a company called the Overseas Military Sales Group (OMSG). For the last 65 years, they work with manufacturers to get the best deal for service members. (This typically means fleet pricing.) Up until last year AAFES sold all GM products including HUMMER. GM has chosen to pull out.

I have two vehicles currently here as my wife too is on her own orders. We have thousands and thousands of cars here covering every car maker under the sun. Those same car makers have facilities here. There are no issues. In fact, I was just talking with a guy who shipped one of those Toyta Prius cars from Maryland. He takes it to the local Toyota dealer for his maintainence.

BTW all cars here must undergo an annual vehicle inspection, which includes emissions, in order to continue its registration.

[Hummer Guy]

My home is in Texas, my dad is in Florida, my mom is in Pennsylvania, my wife's parents are in Maryland, and the remainder of my family are in California and New York.

My current vehicles are Texas titled and registered. The Ford has been shipped all over the world and has been covered under its U.S. warranty. The other was purchased through AAFES in Italy and has a 7/70,000 warranty anywhere I am stationed.

P.S. Say hi to J.T.

So, I'm not suggesting you do this, but if a vehicle drives up onto a Hummer service drive in the U.S. -- how will they be able to tell if its been all over the world? This is your permanent home -- what if you just drove it to Mexico for a week? That wouldn't void it -- aren't you really just on a longer version of a vacation?:)

[mountainbiker]

So, I'm not suggesting you do this, but if a vehicle drives up onto a Hummer service drive in the U.S. -- how will they be able to tell if its been all over the world? This is your permanent home -- what if you just drove it to Mexico for a week? That wouldn't void it -- aren't you really just on a longer version of a vacation?:)
I'll the pose the analogy to HUMMER. Maybe you could ask Sewell.

[mountainbiker]

So, I'm not suggesting you do this, but if a vehicle drives up onto a Hummer service drive in the U.S. -- how will they be able to tell if its been all over the world? This is your permanent home -- what if you just drove it to Mexico for a week? That wouldn't void it -- aren't you really just on a longer version of a vacation?:)

Well they were extremely quick in getting back to me; unfortunately, they not much interest in my business. Here is what HUMMER says about Mexico and other foreign countries:
Thank You again for contacting HUMMER! You have reached our Marketing department and seeking answers regarding a military purchase of a HUMMER vehicle. It is our understanding that military purchases are done through the Air force Exchange Service [AAFES]. Unfortunately, as you are aware, HUMMER is no longer affiliated with the company once used to handle Overseas Military Vehicle Sales. Therefore, to best answer you inquiries regarding overseas military purchases, please consult with the Air Force Exchange Service as our marketing office do not have the resources to consult you in this type of purchase. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience to you.

Generally, our overseas warranty is covered as follows:

Warranty Coverage for Touring Owner's from Mexico and Foreign Countries (except Canada):
Owner's touring in the U.S. with a GM vehicle sold in Mexico or other foreign country and requiring emergency warranty service; dealer should provide service and request customer payment for the work. The owner may seek reimbursement upon return to their home country.

Warranty Coverage for U.S. Owner's Touring in Canada, Mexico and Foreign Countries:
U.S. owner's touring in Canada, Mexico or other foreign countries should seek emergency warranty repairs, preferably from a GM dealer selling and servicing the particular brand GM vehicle. If warranty repair charges are paid for by the owner, a reimbursement request through his/her selling dealer should be made upon return to the U.S. by submitting the original paid receipt showing the work performed, proof of ownership and any failed parts, if possible.

New Vehicle Limited Warranty applies to GM vehicles registered in the United States and normally operated in the United States or Canada. If you have permanently relocated and established household residency in another country, GM may authorize the performance of repairs under the U.S. warranty in their country. Please contact an authorized GM dealer in their country for assistance. The GM dealership in their country may require them to pay for the repair.

Pleased be advised once again that the exporting of the HUMMER and any of its products from the United States is prohibited. United States and Canadian dealerships will not sell them to a consumer with the intent to export. If a HUMMER was purchased from an unauthorized source or shipped out of the United States, the General Motors factory warranty would be invalid and all service work normally covered under that warranty would be the sole responsibility of the purchaser. We apologize for the inconvenience.

[DWPC]

GM has chosen to pull out.
You didn't say that in the OP. Now I understand your beef.

[f5fstop]

As a GM employee, I can't say I agree with this policy, but I'm so low on the ladder it would make no differrence if I cared or not.

[PARAGON]

I'm thinking you miss the whole "business" thing here. GM sells this stuff stateside and has dealer agreements with stateside dealers. Those dealer agreements are not necessarily the same as agreements with foreign dealers. If you were to have a warrantied issue in a foreign country, GM is not going to guarantee that the dealership will honor the US warranty.

This is common across the spectrum of products sold in the world, not just vehicles. There is too much corruption that can't be monitored internationally for an international company to have a system that covers every country's legal situation regarding business and consumer laws.

GM is not saying they will not honor the warranty. It's only saying that it will honor the warranty once the vehicle reaches US soil once again, IF the dealer in the foreign country DOES NOT submit it for warranty.

I believe if you read that part you will understand. You can buy and transport the vehicle and should you have a warrantied breakdown, it will be covered. Either by the the in country dealer or by a US dealer once in makes it back here.

If you have established residency outside the US. That's addressed as well.

Exporting is not the same as transporting and I would suggest you discuss it further with someone at a dealership instead of chunking the attitude around. This "irony" crap is not going to get you anywhere.

[mountainbiker]

I reponded to HUMMER with the following:
There are two paragraphs below which appear to contradict each other:

*1* New Vehicle Limited Warranty applies to GM vehicles registered in the United States and normally operated in the United States or Canada. If you have permanently relocated and established household residency in another country, GM may authorize the performance of repairs under the U.S. warranty in their country. Please contact an authorized GM dealer in their country for assistance. The GM dealership in their country may require them to pay for the repair.

*2* Pleased be advised once again that the exporting of the HUMMER and any of its products from the United States is prohibited. United States and Canadian dealerships will not sell them to a consumer with the intent to export. If a HUMMER was purchased from an unauthorized source or shipped out of the United States, the General Motors factory warranty would be invalid and all service work normally covered under that warranty would be the sole responsibility of the purchaser. We apologize for the inconvenience.

- It sounds like *1* offers warranty to provisions for a vehicle, that was once in the United States, to have its warranty covered by a GM dealership in a new registered country. However, if paragraph *2* is true, how could paragraph *1* ever occur?

- I have quickly reviewed the U.S. Customs web site regarding export restrictions, but I could find no mention of HUMMER products being banned. I have forwarded my questions on to Customs. Why is HUMMER prohibiting the export of their products?

- I have a Chevy Impala (a GM product) with no warranty access issues oversea. Are you stating that this policy regarding export only applies to HUMMER or the entire GM product line?

- I personally know three friends with 2006 HUMMERs purchased while they were stationed overseas and one has had warranty work at my duty station. Why are they not running into problems? Is this export ban new?

- There are others here with HUMMERs that I do not know. Should they be informed their warranty could be null and void?

[deserth3]

I believe you may also be misinterpreting the word export.

If you buy the vehicle with the intent to move it out of country and sell it. This is exporting and the warenty will not transfer to the new buyer. Here also export taxes and laws come into affect.

You on the other hand are an active duty member tempoarily station outside the US on orders from the government. You are buying and moving the vehicel overseas for personal use with the intent of having the vehicle return with you to the US when your tour of duty is terminated. I believe the export laws do not apply in this case.

Stop by your legal office and ask them for an interpretation and advice.
then stop by a local GM dealer and ask about how you go about getting warenty work performed or if they will be willing to do it.

Most importantly... You are NOT exporting the vehicle. You legal office can tell you what the legal term is here. Use them that's what they are there for.

Good Luck and let us know the outcome.
I'm retired Air Force. The torch is now yours.

PS; That sucks GM has pulled out of AAFES, but it doesn't suprise me. AAFES can come up with some pretty strainge rules.

[mountainbiker]

GM sells this stuff stateside and has dealer agreements with stateside dealers. Those dealer agreements are not necessarily the same as agreements with foreign dealers.
I hear what you are saying, and deep down feel this is the case. However, what I find odd is that I have a Ford Explorer that I purchased during my last home leave, in this very same fashion, had it shipped and has had warranty work at the local Ford dealer down the street. The second car is a Chevy Impala--a GM product--which is also afforded this same luxury, but I had its warranty done by an independent garage. I bought the Ford through a Stateside dealer, and they had full knowledge of my intent as they dropped it off at the shipper for me in Portsmouth, Virgina. HUMMER on the other is feeding me this stuff about "null and void" warranty, I can't take it out of the US, etc. The three dealers I have spoke with all run scared. I have also been speaking with Dodge dealers--as my second choice is the Charger--with out these "restrictions".

Exporting is not the same as transporting and I would suggest you discuss it further with someone at a dealership
I have an appointment with my legal office on Friday to discuss the word "export". The three dealerships--while are fully aware of the HUMMER policy--and are not willing to go the extra mile to ensure it is being applied correctly. One of the Stateside dealers told me not to even mention shipping to my duty station as they could lose their dealership franchise license. Dealership lies or truth--I don't know.

...nstead of chunking the attitude around. This "irony" crap is not going to get you anywhere.
The joy of forums is that I can "chunk" crap, and it is my opinion--that I am free to express as an American--that I find it ironic that I work 100 yards from a military motor pool with hundreds of HUMMERs. Yet, me as a military service member, wanting to buy a HUMMER for myself am finding it extremely difficult to purchase one in comparison to other US makes and models.

[f5fstop]

I have expressed my opinion of GM's policy. However, you work near Hummvees built by AM General, you are trying to purchase a Hummer manufactured by GM; there is a big difference, they are two separate corporate entities.
Evidently, there was a reason GM dropped out of the military program. Not sure why, didn't even know they did until I read the other thread you made a mention of this on; as well as this thread.
Good luck...

[mountainbiker]

I have expressed my opinion of GM's policy.You can work on GM from the inside. :) Help our country's car manufacturing stay strong.However, you work near Hummvees built by AM General, you are trying to purchase a Hummer manufactured by GM; there is a big difference, they are two separate corporate entities.
That is correct. Hmmm - maybe I should be buying myself a nice HMMWV with a .50 cal...Evidently, there was a reason GM dropped out of the military program. Not sure why, didn't even know they did until I read the other thread you made a mention of this on; as well as this thread.
Good luck...The reason, as I was told by the local AAFES salesperson, was GM were no longer going to offer fleet pricing. They must have felt the military community did not offer them a profit margin.